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MLB rookie cards to watch, 2026 Season: who's heating up

Jacob Misiorowski leads the MLB rookie card watch for 2026 Season with a momentum score of 58: fantasy points up from 143 in 2025 to 588 in 2026. Cam Schlittler and Liam Hicks follow. These are performance signals collectors watch, not card prices and not financial advice.

MLB top five this week
PlayerMain reasonScore
Jacob MisiorowskiFantasy points up from 143 in 2025 to 588 in 2026.58
Cam SchlittlerFantasy points up from 168 in 2025 to 574 in 2026.56
Liam HicksFantasy points up from 186 in 2025 to 360 in 2026.54
Luke KeaschallFantasy points up from 138 in 2025 to 345 in 2026.48
Braxton AshcraftFantasy points up from 159 in 2025 to 371 in 2026.38

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MLB rookies and second-year players

Every signal behind each score, with its points. 2026 and 2025 fantasy points from MLB box scores, and each player's debut date.

  1. 1
    Jacob MisiorowskiMIL SP2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 143 in 2025 to 588 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +20: 1st at SP in fantasy points in 2026 (588).
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Jacob Misiorowski cards on eBay
    58momentum
  2. 2
    Cam SchlittlerNYY SP2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 168 in 2025 to 574 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +18: 2nd at SP in fantasy points in 2026 (574).
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Cam Schlittler cards on eBay
    56momentum
  3. 3
    Liam HicksTB C2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 186 in 2025 to 360 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +16: 3rd at C in fantasy points in 2026 (360).
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Liam Hicks cards on eBay
    54momentum
  4. 4
    Luke KeaschallMIN 2B2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 138 in 2025 to 345 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +10: 6th at 2B in fantasy points in 2026 (345).
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Luke Keaschall cards on eBay
    48momentum
  5. 5
    Braxton AshcraftPIT SP2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 159 in 2025 to 371 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Braxton Ashcraft cards on eBay
    38momentum
  6. 6
    Grant TaylorCWS RP2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 116 in 2025 to 306 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Grant Taylor cards on eBay
    38momentum
  7. 7
    Heriberto HernándezMIA OF2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 152 in 2025 to 247 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Heriberto Hernández cards on eBay
    38momentum
  8. 8
    Ian SeymourTB SP2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 124 in 2025 to 316 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Ian Seymour cards on eBay
    38momentum
  9. 9
    Jakob MarseeMIA OF2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 149 in 2025 to 284 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Jakob Marsee cards on eBay
    38momentum
  10. 10
    Nolan McLeanNYM SP2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 137 in 2025 to 401 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Nolan McLean cards on eBay
    38momentum
  11. 11
    Troy MeltonDET SP2nd year
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 109 in 2025 to 244 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Troy Melton cards on eBay
    38momentum
  12. 12
    Daylen LileWSH OF2nd year
    • Usage trend +29: Fantasy points up from 225 in 2025 to 356 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Daylen Lile cards on eBay
    37momentum
  13. 13
    Chase MeidrothCWS 2B2nd year
    • Usage trend +25: Fantasy points up from 208 in 2025 to 312 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    • Leaders and award races +2: 10th at 2B in fantasy points in 2026 (312).
    Shop Chase Meidroth cards on eBay
    35momentum
  14. 14
    Kevin McGonigleDET SSRookie
    • Leaders and award races +20: 1st among 2026 rookies in fantasy points (436).
    • Rookie or second year +15: MLB debut in 2026.
    Shop Kevin McGonigle cards on eBay
    35momentum
  15. 15
    TJ RumfieldCOL 1BRookie
    • Leaders and award races +18: 2nd among 2026 rookies in fantasy points (374).
    • Rookie or second year +15: MLB debut in 2026.
    Shop TJ Rumfield cards on eBay
    33momentum
  16. 16
    Mason FluhartyTOR RP2nd year
    • Usage trend +24: Fantasy points up from 125 in 2025 to 186 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Mason Fluharty cards on eBay
    32momentum
  17. 17
    Carson BengeNYM OFRookie
    • Leaders and award races +16: 3rd among 2026 rookies in fantasy points (337).
    • Rookie or second year +15: MLB debut in 2026.
    Shop Carson Benge cards on eBay
    31momentum
  18. 18
    JJ WetherholtSTL 2BRookie
    • Rookie or second year +15: MLB debut in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +14: 4th among 2026 rookies in fantasy points (310).
    Shop JJ Wetherholt cards on eBay
    29momentum
  19. 19
    Drake BaldwinATL C2nd year
    • Leaders and award races +12: 5th at C in fantasy points in 2026 (342).
    • Usage trend +8: Fantasy points up from 296 in 2025 to 342 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Drake Baldwin cards on eBay
    28momentum
  20. 20
    Kazuma OkamotoTOR 3BRookie
    • Rookie or second year +15: MLB debut in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +12: 5th among 2026 rookies in fantasy points (307).
    Shop Kazuma Okamoto cards on eBay
    27momentum
  21. 21
    Chandler SimpsonTB OF2nd year
    • Usage trend +18: Fantasy points up from 243 in 2025 to 331 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Chandler Simpson cards on eBay
    26momentum
  22. 22
    Walbert UreñaLAA SPRookie
    • Rookie or second year +15: MLB debut in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +10: 6th among 2026 rookies in fantasy points (305).
    Shop Walbert Ureña cards on eBay
    25momentum
  23. 23
    Cam SmithHOU OF2nd year
    • Usage trend +15: Fantasy points up from 178 in 2025 to 230 in 2026.
    • Rookie or second year +8: MLB debut in 2025.
    Shop Cam Smith cards on eBay
    23momentum
  24. 24
    Sam AntonacciCWS OFRookie
    • Rookie or second year +15: MLB debut in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +8: 7th among 2026 rookies in fantasy points (300).
    Shop Sam Antonacci cards on eBay
    23momentum
  25. 25
    Munetaka MurakamiCWS 1BRookie
    • Rookie or second year +15: MLB debut in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +6: 8th among 2026 rookies in fantasy points (273).
    Shop Munetaka Murakami cards on eBay
    21momentum

MLB rookie classes

  • 2026 MLB debut class: 50 players ranked, 10 with something moving this week, led by Kevin McGonigle (35).
  • 2025 MLB debut class: 50 players ranked, 22 with something moving this week, led by Jacob Misiorowski (58).

Established MLB players heating up

Players past their second season, on the same score: usage, role, leaders and search demand.

  1. 1
    Yordan AlvarezHOU OF
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 111 in 2025 to 542 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +20: 1st at OF in fantasy points in 2026 (542).
    Shop Yordan Alvarez cards on eBay
    50momentum
  2. 2
    Gabriel MorenoAZ C
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 182 in 2025 to 372 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +18: 2nd at C in fantasy points in 2026 (372).
    Shop Gabriel Moreno cards on eBay
    48momentum
  3. 3
    Louis VarlandTOR RP
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 204 in 2025 to 414 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +16: 3rd at RP in fantasy points in 2026 (414).
    Shop Louis Varland cards on eBay
    46momentum
  4. 4
    Miguel VargasCWS 3B
    • Usage trend +28: Fantasy points up from 304 in 2025 to 475 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +18: 2nd at 3B in fantasy points in 2026 (475).
    Shop Miguel Vargas cards on eBay
    46momentum
  5. 5
    Bryan BakerTB RP
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 204 in 2025 to 386 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +14: 4th at RP in fantasy points in 2026 (386).
    Shop Bryan Baker cards on eBay
    44momentum
  6. 6
    Jacob LatzTEX RP
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 186 in 2025 to 361 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +12: 5th at RP in fantasy points in 2026 (361).
    Shop Jacob Latz cards on eBay
    42momentum
  7. 7
    Joc PedersonTEX DH
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 112 in 2025 to 240 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +12: 5th at DH in fantasy points in 2026 (240).
    Shop Joc Pederson cards on eBay
    42momentum
  8. 8
    Isaac ParedesHOU 3B
    • Usage trend +28: Fantasy points up from 253 in 2025 to 397 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +14: 4th at 3B in fantasy points in 2026 (397).
    Shop Isaac Paredes cards on eBay
    42momentum
  9. 9
    Mason MillerSD RP
    • Leaders and award races +20: 1st at RP in fantasy points in 2026 (446).
    • Usage trend +19: Fantasy points up from 325 in 2025 to 446 in 2026.
    Shop Mason Miller cards on eBay
    39momentum
  10. 10
    Nolan ArenadoAZ 3B
    • Usage trend +26: Fantasy points up from 233 in 2025 to 355 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +12: 5th at 3B in fantasy points in 2026 (355).
    Shop Nolan Arenado cards on eBay
    38momentum
  11. 11
    Alex BregmanCHC 3B
    • Usage trend +22: Fantasy points up from 308 in 2025 to 444 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +16: 3rd at 3B in fantasy points in 2026 (444).
    Shop Alex Bregman cards on eBay
    38momentum
  12. 12
    Dylan CeaseTOR SP
    • Usage trend +25: Fantasy points up from 318 in 2025 to 480 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +12: 5th at SP in fantasy points in 2026 (480).
    Shop Dylan Cease cards on eBay
    37momentum
  13. 13
    Pete Crow-ArmstrongCHC OF
    • Usage trend +19: Fantasy points up from 379 in 2025 to 520 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +18: 2nd at OF in fantasy points in 2026 (520).
    Shop Pete Crow-Armstrong cards on eBay
    37momentum
  14. 14
    Javier SanojaMIA 3B
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 186 in 2025 to 329 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +6: 8th at 3B in fantasy points in 2026 (329).
    Shop Javier Sanoja cards on eBay
    36momentum
  15. 15
    Jordan WalkerSTL OF
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 105 in 2025 to 381 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +6: 8th at OF in fantasy points in 2026 (381).
    Shop Jordan Walker cards on eBay
    36momentum
  16. 16
    Cade SmithCLE RP
    • Usage trend +18: Fantasy points up from 327 in 2025 to 443 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +18: 2nd at RP in fantasy points in 2026 (443).
    Shop Cade Smith cards on eBay
    36momentum
  17. 17
    Masataka YoshidaBOS DH
    • Usage trend +29: Fantasy points up from 104 in 2025 to 164 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +6: 8th at DH in fantasy points in 2026 (164).
    Shop Masataka Yoshida cards on eBay
    35momentum
  18. 18
    Ben RiceNYY 1B
    • Leaders and award races +18: 2nd at 1B in fantasy points in 2026 (434).
    • Usage trend +17: Fantasy points up from 325 in 2025 to 434 in 2026.
    Shop Ben Rice cards on eBay
    35momentum
  19. 19
    Kody ClemensMIN 2B
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 190 in 2025 to 321 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +4: 9th at 2B in fantasy points in 2026 (321).
    Shop Kody Clemens cards on eBay
    34momentum
  20. 20
    Alec BurlesonSTL 1B
    • Usage trend +18: Fantasy points up from 316 in 2025 to 429 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +16: 3rd at 1B in fantasy points in 2026 (429).
    Shop Alec Burleson cards on eBay
    34momentum
  21. 21
    Otto LopezMIA SS
    • Leaders and award races +18: 2nd at SS in fantasy points in 2026 (424).
    • Usage trend +16: Fantasy points up from 320 in 2025 to 424 in 2026.
    Shop Otto Lopez cards on eBay
    34momentum
  22. 22
    Brayan RocchioCLE SS
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 148 in 2025 to 321 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +2: 10th at SS in fantasy points in 2026 (321).
    Shop Brayan Rocchio cards on eBay
    32momentum
  23. 23
    Jake BauersMIL 1B
    • Usage trend +30: Fantasy points up from 110 in 2025 to 359 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +2: 10th at 1B in fantasy points in 2026 (359).
    Shop Jake Bauers cards on eBay
    32momentum
  24. 24
    Brooks LeeMIN 3B
    • Usage trend +24: Fantasy points up from 236 in 2025 to 349 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +8: 7th at 3B in fantasy points in 2026 (349).
    Shop Brooks Lee cards on eBay
    32momentum
  25. 25
    Dillon DinglerDET C
    • Usage trend +23: Fantasy points up from 209 in 2025 to 304 in 2026.
    • Leaders and award races +8: 7th at C in fantasy points in 2026 (304).
    Shop Dillon Dingler cards on eBay
    31momentum

How the momentum score works

Six signals, each with its own cap, added up and capped at 100. A player is listed at 20 or more, and only when something other than his rookie status is moving. Every number comes from data Parlae already stores; no card price is read or shown.

SignalRuleMax
Usage trendShare-based roles (snap share): 1 point per percentage point gained. Minutes, ice time and form: 1 point per 2 percent gained over his own earlier level. A gain counts from 8 points of share or 15 percent.30
Search demand2 points per extra Google reader on his Parlae player page this week against last week, from 3 readers this week.25
Role changeA promotion this week: top of his team's depth chart by snaps or minutes, or a first power-play unit he did not hold last season.20
Leaders and award racesRank 1 in his rookie class or at his position earns 20, then 2 fewer per rank, down to rank 10.20
Rookie or second year15 for a rookie, 8 for a second-year player, counted only alongside another signal.15
Injury returnBack in the lineup this week after missing at least one of his team's games.10

These are performance signals collectors watch, not card prices and not financial advice.

By the Parlae deskCard data updated Oct 15, 2026 at 3:22 PM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number